Thermal diffusion measurements using spatially periodic temperature distributions induced by laser light

Two light waves with different directions of propagation derived from a pulsed Nd:YAG laser are superimposed in an absorbing sample and generate an interference field. Due to absorption, a spatially periodic temperature distribution occurs, producing a spatial modulation of the refractive index which can be considered a thermal phase grating. The light of an argon laser simultaneously incident on the sample is diffracted by the thermal grating. When excitation is over, the decay time of the diffracted light is measured. From this decay time the thermal diffusivity of the sample is determined. Measurements on colored methanol and glycerin as well as on ruby compare favorably with the results of other authors. The possibility of exciting and detecting temperature waves (second sound) in solids by the method of light-induced gratings is discussed.